In our profile series Tell Us In Ten, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions. From the best part of their jobs to the hardest, we want to know it all!
This week we’re chatting to Jack Bardoe, who stars in the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s new production of Our Country’s Good – opening on 5 September.
1. My route into theatre was…
I joined the local youth theatre when I was about 11, my mum thought it would be a good hobby for me as I was quite a shy child! I acted in plays at school and at the youth theatre throughout the rest of my school years. I eventually caught ‘the bug’ for acting and applied for the foundation course at RADA in my last year at school; I enjoyed the foundation course but decided to attend university the following year. However, I ended up leaving university in my first year to head back to RADA and complete a degree programme – and I’ve been acting since!
2. My West End idol is…
Ben Whishaw
3. My colleagues would describe me as…
I hope they would describe me as fun, hard working and brave… but you would have to ask them!
4. My favourite show (that isn’t one I star in/work on) is…
People, Places And Things was amazing… But so many other shows are my favourites. They keep coming!
The company of People, Places And Things. Photo by Marc Brenner.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
Acting at the National Theatre in Othello and Translations.
6. The hardest part about my job is…
Staying disciplined and motivated between jobs as you can start to feel a bit lost. Acting has big highs and big lows, it’s sometimes tricky to take care of yourself when travelling between the peaks and troughs.
7. If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
I would love to write or direct. Outside the industry – maybe a lawyer.
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
I was born in Hong Kong!
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Don’t be afraid of the cracks, that’s where the light comes in.
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Relax, go with the flow, stop trying so hard, be true to yourself, get good sleep and eat healthily!
Directed by Rachel Riordan, Our Country’s Good is an Olivier Award-winning classic based on the extraordinary true story of the British Empire’s most remote penal colony. Playing a limited season until 5 October, book your tickets at Official London Theatre.